Page 128 of Protector

As Mikey’s eyes filled, I wished like hell I would’ve taken the shot the first time we went up against the Serpents.

I’m sorry, buddy. Daddy’s so sorry.

“I know things look beyond fucked right now, but I’m going to do everything in my power to keep my family out of this—”

He clenched his jaw and nodded along, fighting to stay in control of his emotions. “Exactly what I was thinking. We could get the girls to a safe house, just until this blows over—”

“Mike—” I tried.

“I don’t know that they’d listen right away, with Dakota getting married and all, but I think if they knew—”

“Mike—” I pushed out of the chair and dropped to my knees in front of him. “Listen to me—I said I was gonna do everything for my family. My entire family—includin’ my firstborn.” When he lowered his head, I reached up and gripped his shoulder. “Look at me, son.”

He brushed away the tears with the back of his hand before meeting my gaze, and I squeezed tighter at the sight of his big blue eyes.

My eyes.

“I don’t give a flying fuck what your birth certificate says. You’re a Quinn, through and through. Known it since I first laid eyes on you. I have a plan, but what is it you always say?”

“A plan ain’t shit if everybody knows about it,” he finished with a sniff.

“I want you to run this club beside me.”

I wanted no such thing but needed to know he’d be open to living on the wrong side of the law if it came down to it. Something terrible was coming; it was no longer a question of if but when.

He immediately shook his head. “I’m a fucking cop, Grey. In what realm does that pan out?”

It didn’t.

In a perfect world, I never would’ve had to ask.

“Ain’t no alternate universe where you could do both. It’s one or the other—you’ve had to straddle that line for long enough.”

I can’t do this on my own, buddy.

Mikey sat back and scratched at his jaw. “I—I can’t just make a decision like that on the spot. I’ve got Lauren to think about. In your line of work, you don’t exactly make a lot of friends.”

I grinned. “Same could be said about your job as well. Just think about it and let me know. Why don’t you run on home and get some rest—I’ll wait here for updates.”

He stood up with a stretch. “Grey?”

“Yeah?”

“Tonight, with the wedding—wear a vest, okay?”

I froze. “You know something I don’t?”

Not today.

I wasn’t ready.

His shoulder lifted in a shrug. “Got it in good faith from Jeremy, uh, Jarvis that the mole is going to show up tonight. In a room full of cops, he’ll blend in perfectly. Just watch your back.”

A rat in my clubhouse. Moles hiding behind badges.

I had to keep my family close.

“You’re still going, right?” I asked, squeezing his shoulder again, needing the connection between us now that there were no secrets.

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